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PICTURES: A year of adventures with Active Outdoors in 2023

By John Davidson
- john.davidson@hnmedia.co.uk
Published: 18:30, 25 December 2023

John Davidson takes a look back at some memorable trips, from family outings to big days in the mountains

A rainy day on the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail.
A rainy day on the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail.

As 2023 draws to a close, I’ve been looking back at some of the adventures I’ve enjoyed for Active Outdoors over the last 12 months. And as ever, it’s surprising just how much I’ve managed to squeeze in!

Making the most of these outdoor opportunities was the main reason we moved to the Highlands 16 years ago – and haven’t looked back.

This year we marked 15 years since Active Outdoors began, and there is still so much to explore and to revisit.

One of the big highlights for us this year was a trip to Shetland in the summer, when I booked us onto a sea kayaking session for all the family. I’ve since managed to get myself a second-hand boat and hope to make better use of it in 2024.

Experiencing sea kayaking in Shetland.
Experiencing sea kayaking in Shetland.

I’ve explored close to home and been on trips around the Highlands, climbing Munros, running, taking family strolls and more committing trips.

One example was the mountain bike trip I did with Matthew, who was only five at the time. We did a loop in the Cairngorms, taking in Glen Tromie and Glen Feshie via a new track that the estate had put in to link the two. Heavy rain and mud made it a chilly outing as Matthew got soaked on the tagalong, but he still talks about the day now!

I also had a walk to Craig bothy in Wester Ross with all three of the children, along with some friends. This was a memorable overnight adventure to the former remote youth hostel, which is about four-and-a-half miles from the nearest road-end.

An outside view of the former youth hostel turned bothy at Craig.
An outside view of the former youth hostel turned bothy at Craig.

There have been some steps back into history, exploring the path to Ousdale broch in Caithness and the drove road heading south from Inverness, as well as the military road from Moy to the Highland capital. These older routes are a real fascination to me, and I love the sense of history behind them.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our adventures during 2023 and maybe found a few route ideas to try for yourself.

I’d like to wish you all a happy and healthy new year. Here’s to another one filled with adventure and the great outdoors.

The walk in to Craig bothy on the west coast.
The walk in to Craig bothy on the west coast.
Heading out with Moray Mountaineering Club to climb four Munros on the east side of the Cairnwell Pass.
Heading out with Moray Mountaineering Club to climb four Munros on the east side of the Cairnwell Pass.
An old wooden sign leads to Wade’s bridge on the old military road between Moy and Inverness.
An old wooden sign leads to Wade’s bridge on the old military road between Moy and Inverness.
Clava Cairns is passed on the national cycle network outside Inverness.
Clava Cairns is passed on the national cycle network outside Inverness.
Mountain biking on the Kelpies Trails at Abriachan.
Mountain biking on the Kelpies Trails at Abriachan.
A chilly forest walk at Craigmonie, Drumnadrochit.
A chilly forest walk at Craigmonie, Drumnadrochit.
New paths have been developed as part of the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, which opened this year.
New paths have been developed as part of the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, which opened this year.
Beautiful autumn colour at Evanton’s community woodland.
Beautiful autumn colour at Evanton’s community woodland.
A social run below Ben Nevis was part of the Fort William Mountain Festival in 2023.
A social run below Ben Nevis was part of the Fort William Mountain Festival in 2023.
In the clouds on the South Glen Shiel Ridge this autumn.
In the clouds on the South Glen Shiel Ridge this autumn.
John and Matthew on a run/cycle along the towpath at Dochgarroch near Inverness.
John and Matthew on a run/cycle along the towpath at Dochgarroch near Inverness.
Sunset over the bog cotton on a late-night ascent of Mullach Clach a’Bhlair above Glen Feshie.
Sunset over the bog cotton on a late-night ascent of Mullach Clach a’Bhlair above Glen Feshie.
Having fun on a walk to An Leacainn near Blackfold, Inverness.
Having fun on a walk to An Leacainn near Blackfold, Inverness.
The view to Skye from a walk around The Plock at Kyle of Lochalsh.
The view to Skye from a walk around The Plock at Kyle of Lochalsh.
Boardwalk at Merkinch Nature Reserve in Inverness.
Boardwalk at Merkinch Nature Reserve in Inverness.
Ousdale Broch has been preserved thanks to the work of the Caithness Broch Project and others.
Ousdale Broch has been preserved thanks to the work of the Caithness Broch Project and others.
An interior shot of Ousdale Broch.
An interior shot of Ousdale Broch.
John heads out in his new boat with Ben Macgregor off the east coast of Caithness.
John heads out in his new boat with Ben Macgregor off the east coast of Caithness.
Ben Macgregor enjoys perfect conditions below the Caithness cliffs.
Ben Macgregor enjoys perfect conditions below the Caithness cliffs.
A walk up the Munros of Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg.
A walk up the Munros of Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg.
Tarbat Ness Lighthouse is a prominent landmark and a circuit can be made from Portmahomack.
Tarbat Ness Lighthouse is a prominent landmark and a circuit can be made from Portmahomack.
Passing below the railway viaduct at Tomatin.
Passing below the railway viaduct at Tomatin.
Visiting Sluggan Bridge on a mountain bike route from the Slochd.
Visiting Sluggan Bridge on a mountain bike route from the Slochd.
John and Matthew on a memorable biking trip in the Cairngorms.
John and Matthew on a memorable biking trip in the Cairngorms.
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